Change of Heart (8 page)

Her exaggerated hip-swaying walk turned Matt's stomach as she left the room. What had Benjamin been exposed to in the saloon?

Becca had washed Benjamin's hands and face. “After Dr. Matt is finished taking care of your arm, we'll find a cookie for you. We keep a fresh supply in the office.”

Benjamin tugged at Becca's sleeve. “Will ya stay with me?”

She caressed his cheek. “Yes.”

The child's stomach growled.

Matt tousled the boy's hair. “Are you hungry?”

Benjamin held his tummy. “Yep.”

Becca glanced at Matt and frowned. She patted Benjamin's head. “Dorothy brought vegetable soup and homemade bread for dinner today. She would love to share it with you when Dr. Matt is finished treating your wound. Then you can have a cookie. Hold your arm out for Dr. Matt.”

“It hurts.”

Matt examined his lower arm. “I will be careful.” He pressed around Benjamin's swollen skin. “No broken bones. Try to move your arm again for me.”

Benjamin leaned into Becca and shook his head. She kept her arm around his waist. “Raise it a little at a time. You can do it.”

He raised it until it was almost straight then pulled it back.

“You are going to be all right.” Matt gestured to Becca. “His arm is swollen and bruised, but it should heal fine in a week or so.”

She helped him off the table. “It's time to find you something to eat.”

The small boy grabbed Becca's hand.

Matt followed them. He and Benjamin sat while Becca and Dorothy served vegetable soup, retrieved milk from the icebox, and then joined them. “The poor boy is starving. He is devouring everything on his plate.”

Dorothy finished her food in a hurry. “I am going across the street for a few minutes. I will be back.”

Matt suspected she would buy clothes or toys for Benjamin. She had been quiet through dinner, and it was not like her. It was difficult not to stare at Benjamin's skinny frame and his insatiable hunger. The small boy chewed and swallowed the food like it was his last meal. He stayed close to make sure the child did not choke. “Slow down there, little fella. I do not want you to get a stomachache.”

The little boy lowered his head and slowed his eating.

Becca cleared the table. She leaned close to Matt's ear. “We need to talk away from him.” She pushed a plate and bowl toward the child. “Here's more vegetable soup and bread. Take your time and eat what you like. We'll be right back.”

Matt followed Becca to his office.

“I'm worried about Benjamin. What kind of place is a saloon for a little boy? He's too young to fend for himself.”

“His mother smelled of alcohol. I suspect she entertains men for money and serves drinks.”

She flattened her hand against her forehead. “Where's he while she's
entertaining?
”

He put his finger to his lips and pointed to Benjamin. “I do not want him to overhear us.” He sighed. “I do not know where he sleeps or spends his time during the day. He stated he fell jumping off a box outside the saloon. The bruises on his back looked suspiciously like handprints to me.” Matt shook his head. “He cannot be more than six.”

She wrung her hands and paced. “We have to do something. He can't go back there, Matt.”

He circled his arms around her to calm her. “Mrs. Evans may not like our interfering.”

She stepped away and paced. “I must help this child. I'll go and talk to her.”

“You will do no such thing. You cannot go inside the saloon. There are some unsavory and dangerous men who hang out there.”

She opened the door and glanced over her shoulder. “Keep Benjamin here a little longer.”

Chapter Seven

Becca ran out the door on her way to the saloon. She glanced over her shoulder. A patient holding her ear and groaning had stopped Matt.
Good.
She would have time to find Gertrude before Matt could come and insist she leave. Her heart slammed against her chest as she pushed through the saloon's wooden doors. The stench of alcohol and tobacco nauseated her. Her eyes darted around the room. Men with dusty clothes, long hair, cowboy boots, and heavy eyes sat half out of their chairs. Card players wearing Stetsons, coattails, and ascots concentrated on their cards and threw money to the center of the table. Women dressed in tight and low-cut dresses carried bottles of liquor and glasses on trays. Others sat on men's laps.

The music stopped. A hot blush rose from her neck to her forehead. She wanted to scream for the men and women to stop staring. Matt had been right when he told her this was a bad idea. She didn't care. Someone had to help Benjamin, and it might as well be her.

She approached Gertrude Evans. “I need to talk to you about Benjamin.”

“I'm kinda busy, sugar. I don't have time to chat. Besides, I doubt you and I would find much to talk about.” Gertrude used her fingernail to remove a piece of tobacco from between her teeth. “If you're done with Benjamin, you tell him to come back to the saloon. You better run along before one of these men wraps their arms around your tiny waist.”

“I would like to help you with Benjamin, if you don't mind.”

Gertrude stepped back. “What do ya mean? Are you gonna take him off my hands?”

Becca fought to control her temper. What a terrible thing for a mamm to say about her child. “My sister, Ruth, owns the mending shop not far from here. Margaret is a seamstress who works for her. Between the three of us, we could watch him during the day while you work.”

Gertrude scowled and jutted her chin. “I live and work here. I don't have time to take him to your sister's mendin' shop every day.”

Blocking out everyone else in the room, she concentrated on Gertrude. If she didn't, her knees would buckle. “What if he lived with Ruth and me? We live down the street. You could visit him anytime you want.”

Gertrude leaned close to Becca. “I would like to get rid of him. Sometimes he spoils the mood when I'm with a man.” She winked. “You know what I mean? You'd be helpin' me out. You're not goin' to charge me money for takin' care of him, are ya? 'Cause I'm not payin' you to do this.”

She shut her mouth.
No,
she didn't know what Gertrude meant. Nor did she want to. She was here to help Benjamin. “No, his care will not cost you a cent. We would like to care for him as long as you let us.”

A man's hand grabbed Becca's arm, and she jerked away from him.

The bearded man sneered and chuckled. “This one needs new clothes, Gertrude. She needs to show some skin.” He sat and patted his lap. “Come sit with me, sweetie.” He grabbed her arm.

Gertrude slapped his arm away from Becca. “You leave her alone.”

Her skin crawled. How did Gertrude stand this place? She didn't understand women like her, women who talked tough, revealed too much of their bodies, and allowed men to do who knew what to them. “If you don't mind, I'll take Benjamin home with me.” She grabbed a pencil and paper on the bar and wrote Ruth's address on it. She passed the note to Gertrude.

Gertrude stuffed the paper in her pocket. “I'll go upstairs and put his clothes in a bag.” She lifted a dirty glass and swigged a small amount of liquor. “You better come with me. These men are ready to pounce on you. They like the young ones best.”

She shivered and followed Gertrude. Upon entering the small room, her eyes swept from the lace undergarments hung on hooks in the small washroom to the bed covered with soiled, rumpled sheets. On the floor in the small closet, a dirt-stained toy dog lay on a pillow and blankets. Her stomach tightened. Benjamin slept in the closet. What did he hear? How much time did he spend in this dark, cramped space? She eyed the slide lock on the door. Did she lock him in the closet? He must've been afraid she wouldn't let him out. Angry words flooded her mind. She fought the urge to tell Gertrude what she thought of her but shut her mouth for the child's sake.

“I don't know anyone willin' to take on someone else's kid.” Gertrude handed her a bag with a tattered shirt. “Appreciate it.”

Becca walked over, grabbed the dog, and stuffed it in the bag. She raced downstairs and outside. She paused and caught her breath. It would take a long time to erase what she had seen and heard in the last few minutes.

Matt's long legs strode toward her. She expected smoke to roll out of his ears to match his stern grimace. Instead, he held her elbow and guided her to the office through the back door.

Eyes narrowed, he let go of her arm. “I told you not to go in the saloon. You could have been harmed. You put me in a terrible position in not being able to go after you when Mrs. Bell came in to have me examine a boil on her ear. I would have gone to talk to Gertrude myself after our last patient.”

Hands on her hips, she leaned forward. “I couldn't stand to take him back to her even for a minute. A saloon's no place for a child. You should've seen her room. There are sinful outfits lining her washroom, and Benjamin's bed is nothing more than a bunch of blankets on a dirty floor in her closet. How can a mamm have such a cold attitude toward her child. Where is he?”

“Dorothy is with him. She bought him new clothes, a small wooden train, and a picture book.” He removed a thread from her collar. “You should have seen his eyes when she delivered them. His grin stretched from ear to ear.”

“Matt, Gertrude said Benjamin got in the way of her entertaining. She has no problem with him living with Ruth and me. She couldn't wait to get rid of him. How can a mamm hand over her child to a stranger?”

“A mother giving up her child is appalling, but Gertrude is not like the women you are used to. Benjamin is blessed to have you and Ruth.”

“I'll check on him before I leave to tell Ruth what happened today. She'll be thrilled to have a child in the house.”

Dorothy was reading to the boy.

Glancing up, he skipped to her and lifted the small train. “Dorothy bought me this.” He picked up the small red shirt and blue pants. “She bought me bedclothes, too.” He held them with pride and pressed the clothes to his face. “I haven't ever had bedclothes before.”

Becca patted his shoulder. “What is your book about?”

“Animals. I want to hear it again.”

She patted his head. “Dorothy has been kind to you. Did you thank her?”

“Yep, I did.”

“I need to speak to Dorothy. You enjoy your book, and I'll be back in a minute.”

The child sat on the floor and flipped through the pages.

Becca gestured for Dorothy to join her away from him. She recounted her experience with Gertrude and described Benjamin's living conditions in the saloon. “I'm going to take him to live with Ruth and me today. I need to talk to her. Are you all right with Benjamin staying here a little longer?”

“Take your time.” Dorothy removed her spectacles. “I am enjoying this little one. He has captured my heart. It is wonderful what you and Ruth are doing for him.”

She hurried to the mending shop and stepped inside. Ruth looked up from the material she held. “What brings you here at this time of day?”

Pulling her aside and out of earshot from customers, she told her what had happened.

Ruth shook her head in disapproval. “First, you should have let Matt go to the saloon. You were out of your mind going to such a sinful place alone.”

“I couldn't wait. Benjamin needed help. It doesn't matter. The ordeal is over, and I'm fine.”

Shaking her finger, Ruth scolded her. “Do not ever go there again.”

She would do it again for the little boy, but she would refrain from making this statement to Ruth to avoid an argument. “I won't.”

Ruth's face softened. “Of course he can live with us.” She put her hand on Becca's shoulder. “I cannot believe this is happening. I have always wanted a child. Margaret and I can both care for him here. She does not have any family, and she loves children.”

“Wait until you meet him. Your heart will melt. He's pitiful and needs us. He's with Dorothy at the office. I'll bring him here and introduce the two of you.”

“God has given us a wonderful gift today.”

“After meeting his mamm, I'm sure he has not been cuddled, kissed, or treasured as a child deserves.”

She kissed Ruth's cheek and walked to the medical office. She stepped inside and approached Benjamin. “I would like to take you to meet my sister, Ruth. Will you come with me?”

“Where is your sister?”

“She's not far.” Becca glanced over her shoulder and eyed Dorothy. “Please let Matt know Benjamin and I are going to the shop to meet Ruth before heading home in case he needs me for something. Otherwise, I'll see you both in the morning.”

Dorothy hugged them good-bye.

Benjamin stepped outside with Becca. The little boy's eyebrows lifted. “I don't want to leave. I want to stay here. Please don't make me go back home to my ma.”

She squeezed his hand. He didn't know her or Ruth. She envisioned him being upset when she suggested he live with them. However, he might take the news better than she had anticipated. “Benjamin, I talked to your mamm. She told me you can come live with my sister and me for a while. What do you think?”

He paused then spoke in a low tone. “Do you have any men who live at your house?”

“No. Why do you ask?”

He raised solemn eyes to her. “Dr. Matt's okay, but men at the saloon push me and yell at me. I'm scared of 'em. Bad men hurt my ma. I hear her scream when I'm in the closet.”

Becca swallowed around the knot in her throat. The child confirmed her fears. Gertrude had not cared what Benjamin heard. She lifted his chin with her finger. “You don't need to worry. No men live with us. You will be safe with Ruth and me.” She pointed to Ruth's house down the street. “We live right over there.”

“All right, then I'll go to your house.”

Becca bit her upper lip. This child had endured more heartache than any child ever should. She would give him all the love she could muster. She knew Ruth would too. “You will like my sister. She loves children, and I told her all about you. She's eager to meet you.”

Ruth stood outside and met them halfway. She offered her hand. “Hello, Benjamin. I am Ruth, Becca's sister. It is nice to meet you.”

Benjamin scuffed the toe of his shabby boot in the dirt.

Her sister pulled a piece of candy rolled in a handkerchief from her pocket. “Would you like this?”

He lifted it from her fingers.

Benjamin held both their hands, as they walked to their house. Inside, he ran from room to room. “Your house is big.” He smoothed his hands along the pillows decorating the sofa, quilts on racks and beds, tabletops, and furniture. He opened the closet door. “This closet is much bigger than the one I sleep in.”

Ruth shot Becca a sad look. “He thinks he is sleeping in the closet.”

Becca circled her arm around his shoulders. “We'll fill your closet with clothes. You'll sleep here on the bed.” She patted the bed.

He stared with wide eyes. “This is my room and bed?”

Becca pointed. “Go look at the rest of the house.” They were strangers, but Gertrude didn't ask one question. Benjamin came with them without hesitation. It seemed unnatural for a mamm and her son. How sad his life must have been to be unloved and unwanted.

She and Ruth plopped on the sofa. Becca patted her lap, and he sat. “Ruth will take you to her shop in the morning where you will meet Margaret. She's a kind woman who likes to play games. You will enjoy spending time with her. Then, in a few weeks, one of us will take you to school.”

“I don't know how to play games.”

Becca bit her lip. The neglected child had lived a sheltered life. They would introduce him to games, puzzles, books, and a variety of toys. “Margaret will teach you how to play games, work puzzles, read books, and draw pictures.”

Benjamin clapped. “She sounds nice like Dorothy.” He sat quiet for a moment. “Does Ma know where I am?”

Becca doubted the woman would visit her son, and she hoped not. Nonetheless, she and Ruth didn't have any legal right to the child. She would have to let Gertrude visit if she showed up. “Yes.”

His mouth quivered. “Please don't let Ma come. She hits me and hollers at me. Ma locks me in the closet, and I'm always afraid she'll forget and not let me out. She's mean.”

Becca held him tight. His distress broke her heart. She understood his fear. Her jaw clenched. She hoped Benjamin never had to face his mamm again, but she couldn't make promises she might not be able to keep.

Ruth sat next to her and rubbed Benjamin's back.

“Ouch.” He drew away from her.

Ruth raised his shirt, and covered her mouth. “Becca, look.” His bony back was covered with black-and-blue bruises.

Becca whispered in Ruth's ear. “Matt found the bruises when he examined him. We didn't question him about them. He has been through enough. Since he is with us, there is no reason to broach the subject with him. No matter. We will have to do our best to protect him from harm. If she comes here, one of us will need to fetch Matt to come and stay with us until she is gone. If he is here, she will be less likely to raise a hand to Benjamin.”